Melendez: fight with Thomson could be better than Shamrock vs. Le

http://mmajunkie.comIn one of the most intriguing lightweight match-ups in recent memory
outside of the UFC, Strikeforce world lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez (14-1) will
be taking on longtime friend and training partner Josh Thomson (14-2).
Melendez thinks it will be a battle for the ages.

“El Niño” previewed the upcoming bout on a recent edition of TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com), the official radio partner of MMAjunkie.com
(www.mmajunkie.com).

“We’ve trained together, we’ve banged together, and I think it’s going to be one for the history books,” Melendez said.

Melendez and Thomson’s well-documented friendship is still firmly
intact. There is no manufactured hype or drama between the two.
Instead, two of the lightweight division’s most exciting fighters will
meet in a match-up of well-rounded combatants.

“One thing about Josh and I that is different than a lot of MMA
fighters is that we are real MMA fighters,” the 26-year-old said.
“We’re well-rounded. We’re willing to stand, we’re willing to wrestle,
and we’re willing to do jiu-jitsu. But we’re at our best when we can do
MMA — do all the transitions, do everything. So it makes for a really
good match-up, a really good scrap.”

The California-based Strikeforce organization has found success in
promoting shows that cash in on local story lines. Earlier this year,
fans were treated to an exciting clash between local residents Cung Le
and Frank Shamrock in a bout billed as “The Battle for San Jose.”
Melendez believes this fight may turn out even better.

“Frank and Cung Le are big names in the Bay area, and they put on a
great show,” Melendez said. “But I think Josh and I have been around
for a while. We’re top level. And it’s going to make for a great fight.”

Despite the two fighters’ familiarity with each other, Melendez said
envisioning the bout and developing a game plan has been especially
challenging.

“It’s hard to have a game plan that you’re really set to,” Melendez admitted. “I have an idea that it’s going to be everywhere.”

Now on the eve of the fight, Melendez said he is relieved to be done
with the hard work involved in preparing for the clash. Of course, that
is just the calm before the storm.

“I’m pretty calm and happy right now, because all my hard training’s
over, and it is show time,” Melendez said. “So I have my happy mood.
Then all of a sudden out of nowhere, I get this little aggression where
I get a little pissed off. I just shut the door to my room. I start
shadow boxing and talking [expletive], and just visualizing whooping
some ass. … I try to cage the beast as much as possible, save that
for out there. But it’s hard.”

Melendez has bested some of the world’s greatest fighters in Tatsuya
Kawajiri, Clay Guida and Rumina Sato, among others. Now tapped to
battle a friend, Melendez knows that personal feelings must be put on
the backburner tonight.

“I’ve always respected Josh,” Melendez said. “I mean, I think he’s a
great fighter. It’s just that this is my career, and I’ve got to beat
him up.”

Melendez also gave an update on some recent injury concerns, as well as
his feelings on being compared to a “mini-Fedor.” To hear the full
interview, download Wednesday’s edition of TAGG Radio, available for free in the TAGG Radio archives.

This story, written by John Morgan, was produced by TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com) specially for MMAjunkie.com
(www.mmajunkie.com). The show — which is hosted by fighter/broadcaster
Frank Trigg, Gorgeous George and ace producer Goze — books some of the
biggest names in MMA. Download all the former episodes at www.taggradio.com, or tune into TAGG Radio’s live shows Monday-Friday at noon ET/9 a.m. PT.

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